Physical geography
Kenya covers an area of 582,650 square km and has common borders with Sudan and Ethiopia in the north, Somalia in the east, the Indian Ocean in the south east, Tanzania in the south and Uganda in the west.The topography of Kenya is extremely varied. Part of Kenya's common border with Uganda and Tanzania runs through Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. The equator divides Kenya into half and on it stands the snow-capped Mt. Kenya (5.199m). The Great Rift Valley, a mysterious geographical fault in the earth's surface, runs through Kenya north to south, with a chain of lakes and waterways.
Kenya is divided into geographical sections: the coastal belt is narrow, fertile and hot but with cool sea breezes all the year round. The hottest months are February to April. The inland plateau (between 300 to 1,500 metres) includes the arid and sparsely populated northern Kenya and the Lake Victoria region. The highlands (from 1,500 metres) boast warm and sunny days and cool, sometimes cold nights.
Climate
Being on the Equator, Kenya has no marked seasonal changes except for two rainy seasons - the 'Long Rains' (March to May) and the 'Short Rains' (November to December). Temperatures at the coast are kept low by the monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean. A table of average temperatures is given.
Average monthly temperatures (in Centigrades)
Mean annual temperature
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||
|
Mombasa Alt. 57ft. (17m) |
32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30.3 Max. | |
| 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22.4 Min. | ||
|
Voi Alt. 1837 ft. (9560m) |
31 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30.5 Max. | |
| 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20.6 Min. | ||
|
Moyale Alt. 3650 ft. (1113 m) |
31 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 27.0 Max. | |
| 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17.3 Min. | ||
|
Garissa Alt. 420 ft. (128m) |
35 | 36 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34.3 Max. | |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22.5 Min | ||
|
Lodwar Alt. 1660 ft. (506m) |
36 | 36 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 34.8 Max. | |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23.7 Min. | ||
|
Magadi Alt. 2030 ft. (619m) |
37 | 37 | 36 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 35 | 36 | 35 | 35 | 34.9 Max. | |
| 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23.1 Min. | ||
|
Eldoret Alt. 6840 ft. (3085m) |
25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23.6 Max. | |
| 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9.5 Min. | ||
|
Nakuru Alt. 6070 ft. (1850m) |
29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26.4 Max. | |
| 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10.0 Min. | ||
|
Nairobi Alt. 5450 ft. (1661m) |
26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25.2 Max. | |
| 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13.6 Min. | ||
|
Nanyuki Alt. 6380 ft. (1945m) |
25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23.6 Max. | |
| 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8.5 Min. | ||
|
Narok Alt. 6200 ft. (1890m) |
26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 24.5 Max. | |
| 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8.5 Min. | ||
|
Kisumu Alt. 3795 ft. (1157m) |
30 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29.4 Max. | |
| 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17.0 Min. |
| Centigrades | 0 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | Centigrades |
| Fahrenheit | 32 | 50 | 68 | 86 | 104 | Fahrenheit |
Economic geography
Kenya is mainly an agricultural country. Much of the arable land (about 33 per cent of the total area), is on the inland plateau and the highlands. The main cash crops such as coffee, tea and pyrethrum are grown on the highlands while sisal and cotton are grown mainly along the coastal strip and parts of the inland plateau. Cattle, goat and sheep ranching occurs on the inland plateau, the arid north and parts of the coastal strip, while dairy and pig farming is mainly on the highlands. Kenya has rapidly developing manufacturing industries. These include textile, paper, car assembly and many others. All the major roads are tarmaced and other secondary roads are all-weather. Tourism is the second largest foreign exchange earner after agriculture.Demography
According to the publication on population projections for Kenya 1980-2000, the total population for the country and some of the major urban centres for l989 was as follows: Nairobi: 1,429,000; Mombasa: 516,640 (T+P); Kisumu: 644,341 (T+P); Nakuru: 178,871; Thika: 90,028. Total population is about 24 million.
A brief history
Fossil discoveries indicate that Kenya was inhabited by man some millions of years ago. Phoenicians visited the Kenya coast long before the birth of Christ. By the seventh century AD the Arabs began to settle at the coast, and were followed by Hindus. Trade both in commodities and humans flourished, with ships coming from as far as China. First European trading posts were opened by the Portuguese. People like Drs Rebman, Kraft and Speke contributed to the opening up of the interior to the west during the mid-l9th century. Joseph Thompson established a caravan route through Kenya in 1883 and in 1900 a railway line was built from Mombasa to Lake Victoria. Kenya became a colony of Britain in 1920 and became independent in December 1963 becoming a Republic a year later, within the Commonwealth.
Religions
Kenya is a largely Christian country with Islam coming second. There are other traditional religions and beliefs practised.Languages spoken by nationals
English and Kiswahili are the official languages. French and German are taught in most high schools. There are several other local languages.Time
Kenya is three hours ahead of GMT.Currency
The unit of currency in Kenya is the Kenya Shilling. Due to the very frequent fluctuations on exchange rate, travellers are advised to check with their banks the prevailing exchange rate at the time of travelling. Kenya currency cannot be brought in or taken out without authority from the Central Bank of Kenya.Official holidays (all offices and most shops closed)
January 1, New Year; April, Good Friday and Easter Monday; May 1, Labour Day; May, Id-UI-Fitr, date fixed when moon is sighted after Ramadhan; June 1, Madaraka (Internal Self Government) Day; October 10, Moi Day; October 20, Kenyatta Day; December 12, Jamhuri (Republic) Day; December 25, Christmas Day; December 26, Boxing Day.
What one should not fail to see
In Nairobi: The National Museum and Snake Park, Bomas of Kenya and Nairobi National Park are next to each other, about 5km from the city centre. Karen Blixen Museum, Animal Orphanage, Giraffe Centre and Riuki Cultural Village are other interesting places to visit.Mombasa Municipality: Mombasa's Old and New Ports and Fort Jesus, Bamburi Nature Trail and Mamba Village.
National Parks and Game Reserves
Nairobi National Park is on the doorstep, literally, of the city of Nairobi. Tsavo East and West is the largest National Park with a wide variety of wildlife. Amboseli National Park boasts abundant wildlife and breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.At the Masai Mara Game Reserve see wildebeest immigration, one of the most breathtaking natural spectacles. At Marsabit, Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba game reserves see the Gerenuk antelope and the Gravis zebra. Meru National Park is home to the white rhino. Olorgasaille and Sibiloi National Park both possess prehistoric remains. Sibiloi National Park is known as the cradle of mankind. Other parks and reserves include Lambwe Valley, Mt. Elgon and Shimba Hills. All kinds of animals can be seen in these game areas including 'the big five': elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffalos.
Most favourable seasons for sojourns and touring
Kenya offers an all year round holiday.How to dress
Ordinary warm weather clothing along the coast and on safari. Swimming costumes are allowed only on the beach and around the swimming pool area. Do not take your best clothes when going to the game parks as they are likely to get dusty and dirty. Raincoats may be necessary if visiting in October/November and April/May. Formal wear may be required in some city restaurants and grill rooms.Main holiday resorts
On the coast: Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi, Kilifi, Shimoni, Diani/Tiwi.Inland: Nairobi, Naivasha, Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Kericho, Nyeri, Nanyuki, Kisumu and game lodges.
Main holiday sports
Fishing, mountaineering, sailing, swimming, surfing, golf, tennis, cricket, hockey, squash, polo, game walks.What to eat and drink
There is a wide variety of restaurants in the large towns serving Continental, creole and oriental dishes. A number of restaurants also specialise in seafoods and national dishes. Fruits and vegetables are available in abundance.What to buy
Woodcarvings of animals and figurines, skin drums, handbags, shoes, belts and clothes of African design, native spears, shields and beadwork are also popular. One can have engraving done immediately on glassware and chinaware.Frontier formalities
Passports and visas
All visitors must be in possession of valid passports. Visas are required for all except citizens of Commonwealth countries (excluding Australia, citizens of the United Kingdom, of Pakistani or Indian origin, Nigeria and Sri Lanka); Spain, Germany, Denmark, Ethiopia, Italy, Norway, San Marino, Sweden, Turkey and Uruguay. Visas can be obtained at Kenya Embassies, High Commissions, Consular Offices or the British Embassy where the first three do not exist or on application to the Principal Immigration Officer, PO Box 30191, Nairobi, Kenya. In emergencies a visa can be issued at ports of entry.Health regulations
Valid yellow fever vaccination is required if you arrive from infected or yellow fever areas. Prophylactic medicine is recommended against malaria.Customs
Verbal declaration is required to be made of things carried and one may be required to open luggage for inspection by Customs officials. Admitted duty free are used personal effects, half a pound of tobacco or equivalent in cgarettes or cigars, one pint of alcohol and perfume. Importation of firearms into Kenya is prohibited.Currency regulations
Foreign currency can only be changed from commercial banks or authorised dealers. It is illegal to change currency elsewhere.Main travel routes
Main tourist roads in Kenya are:Nairobi - Namanga - Amboseli and back or continue via Chyulu Hills - Kilaguni in Tsavo - Voi, Mombasa and back. Nairobi - Nyeri -Nanyuki - Meru - Embu and back; or continue from Nanyuki Samburu and Marsabit. Nairobi - Kitale - Lodwar Lake Turkana. Nairobi - Nakuru - Lake Baringo - Eldoret - Mt. Eldgon - Kisumu -Migori - Masai Mara and back. Nairobi Nuvasha - Narok - Masai Mara and back. Nairobi - Nyahururu Maralal - Loiyangolani Sibiloi National Park.
By air: Kenya Airways, the national airline, operates regular scheduled servlces to Mombasa, Malindi and Kisumu. A number of air charter companies operate scheduled services to tourist spots not covered by Kenya Airways and charter services to any part of East Africa.
By rail: The Kenya railways passenger services cover areas between Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu and Malaba on Kenya/Uganda border.
Miscellaneous
Hunting: A ban on hunting was imposed in 1977 and is still in force.Representatives abroad
In addition to the Head Office in Nairobi, Kenya Govemment maintains the following Tourist Offices:France: Kenya Tourist Office, Kenya Embassy, Rue Volney 5, 75002 Paris. Tel: 42 60 66 88. Telex: 213375. Fax: 42 62 08 25.
Germany: (Fed. Rep. of): Kenya Tourist Office, Neue Mainzerstrasse. 22 6000 Frankfurt/Main 1. Tel.: 069-23 2017/8. Telex: 4143 25. Fax 069-23 92 39.
Kenya: Mombasa Tourist Office, Moi Avenue (near the Tasks) PO Box 80091, Mombasa. Tel. 23465/315922.
Malindi Tourist Office, PO Box 421, Malindi. Tel. 20747.
Sweden: Kenya Tourist Office, Birger Jarisgaten, 37, ZTR PO Box 7692, 11145 Stockholm. Tel.: 218300/04/09. Telex: 054/17811
Switzerland: Kenya Consulate General, Bleicherweg 30, PO Box 770, CH-8039 Zurich. Tel.: 01-202-2244/45. Telex: 045/817 551. Fax 01-202 2256
United Kingdom: Kenya Tourist Office, Kenya High Commission, 45 Portland Place, London WIN 4AS. Tel: 01-636 2371/4.
USA: Kenya Tourist Office, 424 Madison Avenue New York N.Y. 10017. Tel.: (212) 486-1300. Telex: 023/424327. Fax 212 688 0911 Kenya Tourist Office, 9100 Wilshire Blvd, Doheny Plaza, Suite 111-12, Beverly Hills, Califomia 90212. Tel.: (213) 274-6635. Telex: 023/696356. Fax 01-310 859 7010.
We have been able to publish the present tourist information on Kenya thanks to the co-operation and the participation of the Ministry of Tourism in Nairobi.
